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India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission has found an incredible new discovery on the Moon. At a site named Shiv Shakti Point, the Pragyan rover found unexpected chemical signs — a high amount of sulfur and very low levels of sodium and potassium — that could lead to important new insights. originate from the Moon’s deep interior. This discovery supports the long-standing theory that the Moon once had a vast molten ocean beneath its surface and opens a new window into lunar history.
A Defining Moment for Indian Space Science
On July 14, 2023, India’s space organization ISRO triumphantly sent Chandrayaan-3 into space, signaling a major milestone in the country’s growing journey in space discovery. The mission successfully landed near the lunar south pole — an area of high scientific interest — making India the first country to softly land a spacecraft in this region.
Unlike previous missions that targeted equatorial zones, Chandrayaan-3 aimed to explore unexplored, ancient terrain, where extreme conditions may have preserved untouched geological secrets from the Moon’s earliest days.
The Vikram lander, followed by the Pragyan rover, descended on the lunar surface and began transmitting data. Within weeks, Pragyan’s onboard instruments made a discovery that has captivated scientists across the globe.
Exploring Shiv Shakti Point: A Historic Site on the Moon
The exact spot where the Vikram lander touched down was named Shiv Shakti Point, combining Indian cultural symbolism with scientific achievement. The word “Shiv” symbolizes the mind and awareness, while “Shakti” represents strength and energy. This name reflects India’s holistic approach to exploration — blending modern technology with deep-rooted heritage.
Situated near the Moon’s southern pole, this area contains permanently shadowed craters, extremely cold regions, and unique mineral formations, making it a treasure trove for lunar geologists.
Pragyan’s Chemical Clues: A Strange Mix of Elements
One of Pragyan’s core objectives was to analyze the composition of lunar soil and rocks using two advanced instruments: the Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS) and the Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS).
During its operations at Shiv Shakti Point, the rover detected unexpectedly high levels of sulfur in the regolith — the dusty, rocky material that covers the Moon’s surface. Even more curious was the significant lack of sodium and potassium, which are usually present in higher quantities in the lunar crust.
These findings suggest that the material at this site might not originate from the surface at all — instead, it could be from deeper layers of the Moon, perhaps even the mantle, which has remained hidden since the Moon first formed over 4 billion years ago.
What High Sulfur Content Reveals
Sulfur is infrequently found in considerable concentrations on the Moon’s surface. Most prior lunar missions, including NASA’s Apollo program, encountered only minimal traces. That’s why the elevated sulfur levels detected by Pragyan are so intriguing.
In planetary science, sulfur is often associated with volcanic activity and internal differentiation — processes that occurred when the Moon was still geologically active. The presence of sulfur-rich material hints that what we’re seeing might be the result of ancient volcanic eruptions or deep-seated mantle fragments brought up by massive impacts.
The finding raises the possibility that this region offers exposed material from the Moon’s early, molten interior, offering scientists a rare chance to examine the building blocks of our closest celestial neighbor.
Low Sodium and Potassium: An Unusual Deficiency
Just as telling as what was found is what was missing. Sodium and potassium, which are types of alkali metals, are usually present in the Moon’s outer layer. Their low concentration at Shiv Shakti Point further strengthens the theory that this region may expose mantle-derived material rather than common surface rock.
This unusual chemical profile supports the idea that the Moon underwent differentiation — a process where heavier elements sank to form a core, and lighter elements rose to form the crust. The depletion of sodium and potassium may reflect rocks that never made it to the crust, or were buried deep within and only now revealed by erosion or impacts.
These chemical fingerprints suggest that Shiv Shakti Point is unlike any region explored before on the Moon.
A Peek into the Moon’s Fiery Past: The Magma Ocean Theory
One of the most widely accepted theories about the Moon’s formation suggests that it was once enveloped by a global magma ocean. As this ocean of molten rock cooled and solidified, different minerals separated by density. Heavy materials sank into the interior, forming the mantle, while lighter materials floated to the surface to create the crust.
The chemical evidence found by Chandrayaan-3 supports this theory. The high sulfur and low sodium/potassium ratios align with predictions of mantle materials formed deep in this primordial magma ocean.
By studying these clues, scientists can gain valuable insights into the thermal and chemical evolution of the Moon, which, in turn, sheds light on early Earth and the entire solar system.
Why the South Pole Is the New Frontier
There’s a reason space agencies worldwide — from NASA’s Artemis program to Russia, China, and now India — are racing to explore the lunar south pole. This region is thought to hold:
- Ancient, undisturbed geological layers
- Water ice trapped in permanently shadowed craters
- Volatile-rich soil that may unlock secrets of the Moon’s evolution
India’s Chandrayaan-3 has taken the lead in this race by being the first to land and operate a rover successfully in this region, bringing back unprecedented data that will shape lunar science for years to come.
Global Impact and ISRO’s Growing Influence
The success of Chandrayaan-3 highlights India’s rise as a key player in global space exploration. It also demonstrates ISRO’s ability to achieve complex scientific missions at a fraction of the cost. With a budget of approximately ₹615 crore (~$75 million), this mission stands out as one of the most cost-effective yet impactful lunar projects ever undertaken.
India has shown that you don’t need a billion-dollar budget to make groundbreaking discoveries. With the potential release of scientific data from the mission, researchers worldwide will benefit, leading to collaborative projects and deeper global engagement in lunar exploration.
What’s Next: The Future After Chandrayaan-3
Chandrayaan-3’s success sets the stage for more advanced missions. Possible future initiatives could include:
- Chandrayaan-4: A potential sample return mission to bring back actual lunar soil and rock.
- Polar rovers: Designed to survive the harsh lunar night and explore deeper craters.
- Collaborative human missions: Contributing robotic support to manned Artemis missions or new international bases.
India has proven it can land on the Moon — the next goal is to dig deeper, stay longer, and go further into space.
